EPT Cyprus Main Event: A Battle for the Crown
The poker world is abuzz as players gathered at the opulent Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa on the stunning Mediterranean coast for one of the most anticipated events of the year: the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus Main Event. With hopes high and excitement in the air, Day 3 of the tournament has nearly concluded, whittling the field down to just 45 players vying for the coveted title of EPT champion.
The Race for the Top
At the helm of the leaderboard, Bobby James has made a name for himself, sitting with a colossal stack of 2,605,000 chips. His ascent to the top was marked by a couple of thrilling hands that sent him surging ahead. In a spectacular showdown, James rivered the nut flush, eclipsing Akin Tuna‘s impressive flopped straight and king-high flush to double his stack to 1,600,000. Not one to rest on his laurels, he later squared off against Maksim Rogov, where his pocket aces triumphed over Rogov’s kings, pushing him past the 2-million-chip mark.
Close behind is Damir Zhugralin, who also showcased remarkable skill and courage in his gameplay. Faced with a pivotal moment where he had to decide whether to call an all-in against Fahredin Mustafov, Zhugralin opted to trust his instincts, ultimately calling with a set of sevens to thwart Mustafov’s bluff. This bold play secured him 2,410,000 chips, placing him firmly in second place.
In third, we find Philip Joyce, who navigated his way through the day’s challenges to amass 2,175,000 chips. Joyce had a phenomenal moment early in the day when he snap-called Natan Chauskin‘s shove with a powerful full house. Later, he exhibited keen poker instincts by sniffing out a bluff from Taago Tamm in the waning hours of play, propelling him to his current stack.
Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts
As we reflect on the top contenders as Day 3 comes to a close, here’s a snapshot of the leaderboard:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bobby James | United Kingdom | 2,605,000 | 174 |
| 2 | Damir Zhugralin | Kazakhstan | 2,410,000 | 161 |
| 3 | Philip Joyce | United Kingdom | 2,175,000 | 145 |
| 4 | Daniel Jackson | United Kingdom | 1,560,000 | 104 |
| 5 | Lander Lijo | Spain | 1,490,000 | 99 |
| 6 | Roeland Peeks | Netherlands | 1,350,000 | 90 |
| 7 | Adrien Quetelart | France | 1,275,000 | 85 |
| 8 | Artsiom Lasouski | Belarus | 1,240,000 | 83 |
| 9 | Christopher Nguyen | Germany | 1,200,000 | 80 |
| 10 | Anton Wigg | Sweden | 1,195,000 | 80 |
Among others in the top ten are Daniel Jackson (1,560,000), Lander Lijo (1,490,000), and Artsiom Lasouski (1,240,000)—each of whom will be eager to make their mark as the tournament progresses.
Resilience in the Face of Competition
Notably, two players are in a familiar position as they aim to replicate their previous success: Andrea Dato and Halil Tasyurek. Dato, who finished as runner-up last year in the inaugural EPT Cyprus Main Event, is looking to clinch the victory this time around. Meanwhile, Tasyurek, who finished fourth in the same event, is determined to turn his close call into a win. They currently sit with stacks of 780,000 and 965,000, respectively.
The sole champion still in contention is Anton Wigg, who made history by winning the 2010 EPT Copenhagen. Wigg sits in tenth place with 1,195,000 chips, giving him an opportunity to join the exclusive club of two-time EPT champions.
High Profile Eliminations
As Day 3 unfolded, the excitement was tempered by the exits of several prominent players. Among the 144 entries, notable bust-outs included Adrian Mateos in 124th place after a heartbreaking straight-over-straight cooler, and Team PokerStars Pro Benjamin Spragg, who narrowly avoided elimination until a river gave Chakib Mhiri the upper hand with two pair, sending Spragg packing in 115th.
Other notable names such as Uri Reichenstein, Niklas Astedt, and former champions like Sebastian Malec and Nicolas Chouity also fell victim to the ruthless nature of tournament poker.
The Path Ahead
The remaining players are guaranteed a minimum payout of $18,240 from the impressive $6,227,400 prize pool. However, they are all eyeing the grand prize of $1,030,000 for the champion, along with the coveted EPT trophy. The stakes are high as they prepare to embark on Day 4, which kicks off at noon local time with blinds set at 10,000/15,000 and a 15,000 big blind ante. With the average stack hovering near 60 big blinds, the journey to the final table promises to be arduous and thrilling.
As the action continues, PokerNews will be on the ground providing live updates and coverage of what promises to be an electrifying conclusion to the EPT Cyprus Main Event. The drama is far from over, and with the coveted title on the line, players will need to muster all their skill and strategy to claim victory.
